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A mayor in Maine has a unique idea for how to treat citizens on welfare: put their names, home addresses, and details of their assistance all online, where anyone can easily find them.
In an op-ed published Thursday in the Twin City Times, Robert Macdonald, mayor of Lewiston—population around 36,000—declared that “enough is enough,” and that Mainers deserved such a database...
Read the rest from the link.
I'm not sure what I think about this. On the one hand, it holds people accountable, and I remember a time when it was not something to be proud of to receive a hand out; people may have needed help, but they worked hard to get off of welfare because it was not something to brag about.
On the other hand, their addresses? I do have an issue with that. I don't think it's right to post their address. As far as the names...I'm really torn here because I know some people ARE embarrassed to need welfare - not everyone uses it as a lifestyle choice.
I'm curious what your opinion is, and if you think other towns/cities should follow suit, or if you think this mayor is way out of line.
“In Maine there is a website that lists the pension amounts received by everyone who is issued a monthly check by the State of Maine. No privacy here because this is being paid out by the State; accordingly, taxpayers have a right to know,” he continued.
That just sounds horrible. It's exploiting the poor, it really doesn't matter if they "deserve" it or not.
What do you say about the fact that pensioners have their names posted for receiving a government check? Is that exploiting pensioners? What if it was just the names, and not addresses of those on welfare?
You can find my opinion of welfare in many of my posts. I don't think I like this but I also don't like it when people who have not paid their taxes are printed in the newspaper.
The only reason I see this as a good thing is if it cuts down on fraud. I don't think that everybody who receives these checks really need them.
You can find my opinion of welfare in many of my posts. I don't think I like this but I also don't like it when people who have not paid their taxes are printed in the newspaper.
The only reason I see this as a good thing is if it cuts down on fraud. I don't think that everybody who receives these checks really need them.
You bring up another good point. Pensioners have their names posted, people who don't pay taxes have their names posted...is there a reason not to post welfare recipients names?
But again, to all of you:
I do not agree with posting their addresses, as I think that opens them up to things...let's not be naive about what could happen.
But just names...if it's okay for pensioners, those who don't pay taxes, gun owners, why not for them?
And I'm asking seriously. I'm still a bit torn on this, I actually want to know what people think about this.
You bring up another good point. Pensioners have their names posted, people who don't pay taxes have their names posted...is there a reason not to post welfare recipients names?
So you are equating poor people with criminals?
(There is no shame attached with receiving a pension, so that, IMO, is not a valid comparison.)
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